Reviewed by Valerie
TITLE: The Last Drop, a Table for Two Novella
AUTHOR: Layla Reyne
PUBLISHER: Self Published
LENGTH: Novella
RELEASE DATE: April 3, 2020
BLURB:
Three restaurants, three flops. Chef Gregory Valteau doesn’t want to believe it’s a sign, but his culinary future in New Orleans looks bleak. Until he meets a handsome hipster with all the right moves, behind the bar and in bed. Gone the next morning, the sexy bartender leaves Greg inspired and wanting more–of him and his creative cocktails.
Anthony Monaco has spent five years on the go, but a steamy NOLA night with a sexy chef has Tony aching for a return trip to the Big Easy. When Greg offers him the chance to help launch a new gastropub, Tony can’t turn it down. But six weeks is all he’s willing to commit. Any longer and he might not be able to leave, especially working beside temptation-in-a-chef’s-coat every day.
As Dram prepares to open and the chemistry between them boils over, Tony’s fears come true, his heart whispering stay while his brain shouts go. Greg can’t abide by the latter; he wants Tony in his life and behind their bar. He’s the one, but to keep him, Greg will have to convince Tony he can show him the world without leaving the one they’ve built together.
REVIEW:
The Last Drop is a charming novella starring chef Greg (nickname Mr. New Orleans) and bartender Tony (Mr. Manhattan). It was first published in October 2019 as the short story Dram, part of the Heart2Heart anthology. Author Layla Reyne reports that this version has been significantly expanded. Greg appeared as Miller’s best friend in Dine With Me. Miller is a secondary character here, and the time lines of the two books do cross a bit. Oddly, Dine With Me provides a more complete HEA than The Last Drop does, which is unfortunate for those who did not read the previous book.
Greg and Tony seem made for each other from the moment they meet in a bar in New Orleans. They spend the night together sizzling between the sheets, but in the morning Tony is gone – moved on to another city because he never stays long and he never goes somewhere twice. Nine months later in San Francisco, his current boss discovers an ad from Mr. New Orleans in-search-of Mr. Manhattan. The book isn’t clear how this unlikely occurrence happened, so maybe its best chalked up to serendipity. Tony hesitantly returns to NOLA to help Greg get his gastropub off the ground with Greg’s superlative food and Tony’s signature cocktails.
This compendium of luxurious food and drink will be a delight for the gourmet. Either Reyne is a considerable foodie herself or has done extensive (and perhaps filling) research. Her food and drink descriptions serve as an entry into her wonderful world building of Dram and NOLA. The characters are well–developed, also. As Tony travels around the country, running from his past and refusing to put down roots, it isn’t until he learns to trust Greg and himself that he is able to reconcile the past with the present and see that he can have what he needs with Greg.
The Last Drop is a very enjoyable read, full of good feels, strong chemistry, and no angst. I recommend this novella for readers who seek a short, sweet, and sexy read, and it’s a must if you’ve read Dine With Me.
RATING: 
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